Sunday, April 5, 2015

Now Windows 10 is available to use with its all new exciting features. One of the biggest new developments in the Windows 10 story is that
it will be completely free to upgrade. Microsoft made this announcement
at its January event in Redmond.The firm has said it will be available at no charge for the first
year (although it may end up extending that) for Windows 8.1 and Windows
Phone 8.1 users. It will also be free if you're still running Windows
7.

New features in Windows 10: Start Menu

As we knew prior to the January briefing, Windows 10 will mark the
return of the much loved Start Menu. In the latest build shown, it has
some updated graphics and can optionally go full-screen. Half of the
menu looks pretty much like it did in Windows 7 but there's the obvious
addition of Live Tiles.

New features in Windows 10: Cortana

As we expected, Cortana is one of the headline features of Windows 10
– at least as far as Microsoft is concerned. The digital assistant,
which rivals Siri and Google Now, has been available on Windows Phone
for a while will come to PCs and tablets.

Cortana will sit next to with the Start button on the desktop, but
you can invoke it by saying "Hey Cortana". You'll also be able to edit
the things that Cortana knows about you to improve the service it
provides. Typing to interact is also an option and you can request "show
me photos from December" or "Show me PowerPoint slides about the
charity presentation".

New features in Windows 10: Xbox app and streaming

There's good news for gamers as not only with the Xbox One
get Windows 10 (including Universal apps – see below), Microsoft has
introduced some sweet new features. Windows 10 will come with the Xbox
app (although there was no mention of Windows 10 for phones getting it)
which has features like the ability to control the Xbox One and a DVR
capture for any Windows games.

Furthermore, you'll be able to play multiplayer games cross-platform
between Xbox One and PC. As if that wasn't enough, Windows 10 will
support the ability to stream games from the Xbox Box – although we
don't have details on the technical requirements for this yet. Oh and
there's support for DirectX 12.

New features in Windows 10: Universal apps

The news of Universal apps is good news for anyone using more than
one Windows device. A bundle of apps including Photos, Videos, Music,
Maps, People & Messaging and Mail & Calendar (and presumably
more in the future) will look and feel the same across different devices
and screen sizes. The data will also be saved and sync automatically
via OneDrive.

New features in Windows 10: Spartan browser

It's unclear whether this will be the new Internet Explorer but
Windows 10 will come with a new browser called 'Project Spartan'. It's
been built with 'interoperability' in mind, according to Microsoft.
Features include a reading mode and the ability to annotate, either with
a keyboard, pen or a finger. There's also integration with Cortana to
provide additional information – for example, when you're on a web page
for a restaurant Cortana will make a booking and display information
such as opening times.

New features in Windows 10: Enhancements

Thanks to the Windows Insider program, Microsoft is making changes
suggested by Windows users around the globe. Since Windows 10 runs
across all devices, the OS will have unified settings. That means the
end of separate control panel and PC settings. There's also the Action
Center now provides notifications and is synchronised across devices.

New features in Windows 10: Windows Phone

It looks like the death of Windows Phone is near as Windows 10 will
arrive on Windows Phone devices when it launches. Microsoft has given no
other name for it running on smartphone and small tablets.

In general it looks much the same as Windows Phone 8 but with tweaks.
As mentioned above, Action Center is synced with your other devices and
the app menu will show recently installed apps at the top. Two cool new
additions are the ability to float the keyboard around the screen and
reply to message notifications in-line.

New features in Windows 10: HoloLens

This one might be somewhat far off and futuristic, but Windows 10 is
the first holographic computing platform. A set of APIs will mean
developers can create holographic experiences in the real world.

It's more like augmented reality to us but it's certainly
interesting. It will work with the HoloLens which Microsoft calls the
world’s first untethered holographic computer (it doesn't need to
connect to a PC to work).

New features in Windows 10: Continuum Mode

On 2 in1 devices (hybrids and convertibles), Windows 10 will make life
easier with a 'Continuum Mode'. This means the OS moves easily between laptop (keyboard/mouse) and tablet (touch) usage modes automatically. It will do this if it detects the loss or addition of a keyboard.

*I hope these new features will definitely excite you to change your OS to Windows 10.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

As Windows 10 is in market now and Microsoft distances itself from older OS, we all look at the best option for our PC

Update -
Windows 10 is on the way. This latest iteration of Microsoft's desktop
OS looks set to leave both Windows 7 and Windows 8 in the dust, and we
can't wait for the full release. It's sporting some seriously cool
features, too - the ability to flick between separate desktop
environments, integration of Microsoft's digital assistant 'Cortana' and
the return of the traditional start menu all have us pretty excited.

Support for Windows XP came to an end in April 2014, and Microsoft
has set a date of January 2015 for the withdrawal of mainstream Windows 7
support. This doesn’t mean Windows 8’s predecessor is out of the game,
however, and remains a popular option for consumers and business users alike.
In fact, recent market share statistics revealed that users choosing
to move on from Windows XP are actually opting for Windows 7 rather than
Windows 8 or 8.1, with Microsoft’s latest operating system not being
welcomed as quickly as had been hoped. Until Microsoft stops support for
Windows 7, people will continue to choose it over the alternative.
What, then, is the best option for your PC? Following XP’s demise,
the upgrade candidates were Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, and I have
broken down the key features to help you decide which is the better
choice.

1. Boot time

Windows 8 machines
only take 10-15 seconds to boot up, with some switching on even faster
depending on the SSD. Gone are the days when you have to distract
yourself by going to make a cup of tea while your system wakes up.

But how have we gotten to this point? Microsoft engineers combined the hibernation and shutdown modes
into one for Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 uses a hybrid boot mode that
allows the PC to start up much more quickly. The kernel lets it
hibernate instead of shutting down completely, and the use of cores
makes it possible to start-up in seconds.Winner: Windows 8 – The faster the machine
boots up, the more time you are able to spend on doing more productive
things. By the end of the multiple year lifespan of your PC, this can
add up to hours of reclaimed time.

2. Enterprise features

Windows 8.1 has more enterprise features than Windows 7, with Windows
to Go featured on the Enterprise edition allowing users to start a
personalised version of Windows from a USB or any other machine running
Windows 7 or 8. It also means that the Windows Store is enabled by
default, allowing users to access apps across multiple machines.
IT admins can virtually run Windows without any third-party software. Adding in the optional Hyper-V support for your copy of 8.1 allows you to connect to a server.

Windows 8.1 also has better support for managing mobile devices, with
tap-to-print support via NFC and enhanced biometrics, malware
resistance and encryption also included.
But IT departments around the world have given Windows 8.1 the cold
shoulder in favour of its older siblings. In fact, HP told IT Pro that Windows 7 is the most popular choice for companies upgrading from XP.
“Business are ignoring Windows 8,” said HP project manager Jeff Wood.
What enterprise customers prize over everything is stability, and
Windows 7 has time, familiarity, extensive testing and total peripheral
compatibility on its side.
Those upgrading from Windows 8 to 8.1 have also run into problems, with users complaining the update broke simple things such as the ability to print.Winner: Draw – Although Windows 8 has more
enterprise features as a default, Windows 7 has the benefit of being
tried and tested. Then again, further updates for 8.1 have fixed many of
the biggest problems inherent to previous iterations of the OS.

3. Performance

Microsoft used Windows 8 as a guise under which to revamp the engine,
and the results is a much faster system that consumes fewer resources
than before. This makes it a better choice than Windows 7 for low-end
PCs.
The redesign opts for simple colours and fewer visual effects, also
contributing to the increased speed due to resources saved compared to
the Aero Glass effect of Windows 7.
Overall, Windows 8.1 is better for everyday use
and benchmarks than Windows 7, and extensive testing has revealed
improvements such as PCMark Vantage and Sunspider. The difference,
however, are minimal.Winner: Windows 8 – It’s faster and less resource intensive.

4. Interface

The front-facing user interface that characterises Windows 8 has been
a huge talking point since it was revealed, and there are several
reasons for that. For some, the radical redesign has always felt more
like two operating systems meshed together, and it has become the most
discussed element of Windows’ latest operating system.
When switching on the computer, users are greeted with the
now-familiar Start screen – a page of apps and live tiles. This Metro
interface includes everything in the form of apps, including the classic
desktop mode that has proven to be the preferred view for so many. In
addition, apps like IE 11 are great for touch screen web browsing, but
not much else.
But even the desktop looks a little different on Windows 8, despite
the fact that Windows 8.1 did feature the long-awaited return of the
start button. This doesn’t, however, come with the return of the Start
menu (thankfully confirmed for Windows 9 in 2015), instead simply
switching users between screens.

To say the revised interface has had a polarising effect is an
understatement, and there is no shortage of people who have complained
about Metro since it was released. Among their arguments – an interface
designed for touch doesn’t make sense on a desktop computer.
Windows 8.1 has gone some way towards fixing the problem, however, as
users can now choose to avoid Metro entirely and boot directly to
desktop. Spend a little time setting up the OS, and you can get a
comparable, if not slightly better, experience.
There are real UI improvements with 8.1. You can add Start bars to
dual monitors with separate wallpapers on each. There’s also a fast
universal search tight there on the Start screen, which you can access
by hitting the Windows key and typing to search local files, OneDrive
files, apps, settings and the internet. You can even browse OneDrive
files through File Explorer (aka Windows Explorer).Winner: Windows 7 – The classic, familiar desktop
remains popular for a reason, and thus wins the day. Windows 8 simply
tries to do too much too quickly and, even though the 8.1 update allows
users the option of booting straight to desktop, Metro still has a nasty
habit of popping up when it’s not welcome.

5. Security

Security is a massive issue for both individual users and businesses
and, as the most popular desktop operating system, Windows is sadly the
primary target for malware and viruses.
Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 share many security features, both of them
using BitLocker Drive encryption, but 8.1 goes one step further by
enabling them by default. You can always download Microsoft Security
Essentials for Windows 7, and it’s free, but its younger brother has it
already built into the system.
Secure booting on UEFI systems is also included with 8.1, making it
much harder for rogue malware to infect the bootloader. PCs running
Windows 8.1 can also automatically connect to VPNs.Winner: Windows 8 – The latest version of Windows smartly has more security features set as default.

6. Task Manager

The Task Manager for Windows 8 displays more information in a visual
form, with coloured charts for heat, CPU, memory, disk, Ethernet and
wireless consumption. There’s even a breakdown of how each program
effects boot time.

7. USB 3.0 support

Windows 8.1 sports OS-level support for USB 3 devices. Instead of relying on manufacturers or updates to add support for devices, any Windows 8-enabled device can now enjoy faster speeds of up to 5 Gbit/s.

8. Data transfers done right

Copying and moving data on Windows 7 was handled in the wrong way.
When encountering a name collision between two files, for example, the
transfer was interrupted with a prompt asking how to proceed, stacking
individual windows for each transfer.

This has thankfully been cleaned up with Windows 8, putting all
transfers into one window and pushing name collision dialogues to the
end of the process. Windows even tried to make the time estimations on transfer more accurate.Winner: Windows 8 – Not only does it transfer data faster, but Windows 8 ensures less interruptions and more accurate time estimations.

9. Daemon Tools is obsolete

Windows 8 finally added support for native mounting of ISO, IMG and
VHD disk images. We can now access the content of virtual disk files and
write them to physical CDs without any third-party programs like the
now-obsolete Daemon Tools.Winner: Windows 8 - Finally helps to put the nail in the coffin of physical media.

10. 3D printing support

Microsoft added native support for 3D printing in Windows 8.1,
allowing you send files to a MakerBot Printer straight from the Charms
bar.

Winner: Windows 8 - It’s not a necessity yet but, in the future, the ability to print 3D prototypes could be invaluable to businesses.

Verdict - Which version of Windows is right for you?

Windows 8 has received a lot of flack for the Metro interface, but
this shouldn’t overshadow the number of improvements Microsoft has made
to the OS since.
In this way, think of Windows 8.1 as just Windows 7 with four
additional years of development. The downside is that updates can break
the system simple because it isn’t as tried and tested as its
predecessor, but this changes with time.
The latest OS has a faster boot time and better performance along
with a superior task manager and security features. It also has native
support for USB 3, 3D, ISO, IMG and VHD.
However, Windows 7 did manage to win in the interface category, also
salvaging a draw when it came to judging enterprise features.
If you’re buying a Windows machine for personal use, then, it seems
that Windows 8.1 is the way to go – as long as you ignore Metro for
productivity and use it only for web browsing.
Businesses looking to deploy machines will most likely want the
familiarity and stability of Windows 7, however, and this is something
OEMs such as Dell and HP have recognised – now selling Windows 8
machines to enterprises with the option to downgrade to Windows 7 if
they desire.

*Special note- Inspiration behind this post is a young lady reader and my best buddy Miss Natalia.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

The latest version of Android is a big upgrade. Android 5.0 Lollipop is here and beginning to make its way to more and more devices as manufacturers and carriers slowly send out updates.
I have dig a little deeper into a handful of the most compelling new features
and upgrades that make the fifth major revision of Android the sweetest
yet.

ART makes everything better

That's not Warhol, that's Android RunTime (ART), which is the new
run-time environment that completely replaces the old Dalvik VM in
Lollipop. Google claims that ART "improves app performance and
responsiveness" and is 64-bit compatible.
ART seems to deliver the goods. Even with Lollipop's focus on
animations all the time in Material design, apps run smoothly and with
almost no lag, even when moving quickly among multiple running apps in
the new overview screen (formerly recent apps, overview is Lollipop's
new multitasking center).
There is a minor downside to this official switch to ART though,
which is that compatible apps are typically going to take up more
storage space.

Pinning is power for parents

I find that the ability to "pin" a single screen or app – essentially
locking a user out of all the phone's other functions temporarily – is
the real star in a suite of new security and sharing features.
To pin a screen, you'll first have to turn the feature on in your
security settings. Then open the app or screen you want to pin and hit
the overview button (better known as "recent apps" in previous Android
versions). Drag the app, document or tab (on certain devices, Lollipop
will allow you to access individual documents or Chrome tabs from
overview) to the middle of the screen and a pin icon will appear in the
lower right.

Tap that pin and you'll be asked to confirm that you want to pin it.
Once it's pinned, you can hand your phone to your child, frenemy or
whoever without having to worry that they'll go rooting around your
personal data, access something inappropriate or mess with your
settings. You'll want to be sure to set up a pin or other password to
get the most out of pinning, as that's the security layer that actually
prevents users from "unpinning" whatever screen they're on.
Beyond acting as a parental control, pinning is also useful for
setting up a Nexus 9 or other device as a display or demonstration
model, say at a conference or trade show of some sort.

The right to remove bloatware

Lollipop comes with a bit of good news on the down low for those of
you who could easily do without NFL Mobile and the many other examples
of carrier bloatware that find their way onto Android phones.
If you have a phone that is locked to Verizon's network in the United
States, you have probably noticed NFL Mobile: it comes installed on all
Verizon phones and there is no easy way to uninstall it. While I
personally depend on this app, I understand that many of you could care
less about how the Denver Broncos did this week, no matter how
blasphemous that may seem to me.

Of course, this is just one example of irritating bloatware that sits
unused, taking up valuable storage space on many devices. Carriers have
a tendency to include their own messaging, navigation and other apps in
the system partition of devices, making them much more difficult to
uninstall.
Lollipop attempts to quietly address this by being setup to
automatically download carrier software from the Google Play Store
whenever it detects that SIM card has been inserted. While this seems
like Google doing a favor to carriers, which is surely how it was
explained to them, it also means that carrier software should be just as
easy to uninstall as any other app downloaded from the Play store.

Better battery use

Back at Google I/O in June, Google introduced something called
Project Volta, which is basically a collection of tweaks and best
practices for developers designed to make Android and apps run more
efficiently, draining less juice out of a device's battery along the
way.
Evidence of this effort is visualized for Lollipop users in the form
of a new, detailed power usage chart and a battery saver mode that
Google says will squeeze an extra ninety minutes or so out of each
charge, but there's more going on in the back end with Project Volta,
too.

Changes in how a device's various pieces of hardware and software
work together reportedly gives Lollipop as much as a 36 percent boost in
battery life on last generation devices compared to KitKat.

Apps get full SD card access

You might have noticed starting with Android KitKat that there were
some changes to how apps could access different areas of a device's
storage, particularly an inserted microSD card. Developers complained
about these restrictions, and Google responded in Lollipop by more or
less completely opening access to inserted memory cards. This makes it
much easier for media-heavy apps to seamlessly store and access photos,
video or audio files on a memory card with less hassle.
But perhaps most notably, the change also makes it possible for apps
to install themselves entirely on the SD card, which should be a nice
way of offsetting the fact that ART-friendly apps now take up more
space.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

When Windows Operating System doesn’t read particular user profile
settings and files properly during the booting process, it will load
with temporary new user profile. That will look like a brand new user
profile and have the default desktop and icons. You can’t find your
customized desktop with icons, files and program shortcuts, that could
shocking for you. Do not worry, your files and folders are safe in your
computer. This guide talks about temporary profile in Windows 8 and
Windows 8.1 and how to fix it.

Realistically Windows 8/8.1 handles
temporary user profile issue better than Windows 7. You will not face
this issue most of the time if you have a freshly installed Windows 8 or
8.1 computer. But you may face this sometimes if you have a Windows 8
which was upgraded from Windows 7.

This problem usually occurs
when user profile settings got corrupted by some software or virus or
unexpected shutdown of computer and even by delay in reading settings
files while booting.

In order to prevent Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 from loading using a temporary file, step-by-step instructions given below must be followed:

Restart the Windows 8 computer.

Enter into the BIOS setup and configure the system to boot from CD/DVD Drive.

Once on the desktop screen, click File Explorer icon from the taskbar.

On the opened Libraries window, right click Computer from the left pane.

From displayed context menu, click Manage.

On the opened Computer Management snap-in, go to Local Users and Groups category and create a new user account.

Close Computer Management snap-in when done.

Logoff from the Window 8 computer.

Log on with the newly created user account to activate the user profile of the logged on user.

Logoff the current user account.

Again, log on with the administrator account.

Click Desktop tile from the Start screen.

On the desktop screen, click File Explorer icon from the taskbar.

On Libraries window, navigate to locate C:\Users\<Old_Username> folder.
Where old username is the name of user profile from which files are to be copied.

Once located, go to View menu at the top right corner.

From displayed options in the ribbon, click Options.

On the opened Folder Options box, go to View tab.

On the selected tab, click to select Show hidden files, folders, and drives radio button to
view hidden files and folders of user profile.

On the same tab, uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) checkbox.

Click OK to save the changes.

Once done, copy all the contents of the folder except NTUSER.DAT, NTUSER.DAT.LOG, and NTUSER.INI files.

Once copied, paste the contents to C:\Users\<New_Username> folder. Where new username is the user account name that was created earlier.

Close all the opened windows when done.

Restart the computer and logon with the newly created user account.

* Also, you can try system restore or re-installation (repair) of whole
Windows 8 / Windows 8.1 Operating System if above steps not work for you.
(System restore is always the best solution to such problems and every time it gives 100% success)